deport



' 3 Sheets-Sheet l. J. A. DEPORT.

GUN CARRIAGE.

(.No Model.)

No. 565,609. Patented Aug. 11, 1896.

(N0 Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. A. DEPORT.

GUN CARRIAGE. No. 565,609. Patented Aug. 11, 1896.

N E R Tf'Tn Dz H N L! m w E E Q i Q l/V/T/VESSISS; MQIZZZZTORZ JTEIZ QM W 7%143 f/mwyw (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

J. A. DE'PORT.

GUN CARRIAGE. No. 565,609. Patentg g Aug. 11, 1896'.

kg xv a I 4 i I g1 UNITED STATES PATENT OF ICE.

JOSEPH ALBERT DEPORT, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

GUN-CARRIAGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 565,609, dated August'l 1, 1896.

Application filed anuary 14, 1896. Serial No. 575,493. (No model-J Patented in Francelllay 15, 1895, No- 247,451, and in Belgium August 26, 1895,11'0. 117,156.

To all 1071,0710 it may concern..-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH ALBERT DE- PORT, a citizen of the Republic of France, residing in Paris, France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gun-Oarriages, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is the subject of patent in France, No. 247,451, dated May15, 1895, and in Belgium, No. 117,156, dated August 26, 1895.

This invention provides constructions of the gun-carriage and the means for training the gun which permit of aiming and charging it simultaneously under all the angles of fire and in the azimuth, and for providing that the distance of fire employed shall be constantly and automatically indicated on the dials with which the carriage is provided.

Figure 1 is a vertical section through the axis of the turret, showing the cannon and its carriage in elevation. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section showing these parts in plan. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section on the line 3 3 in Fig. 1, showing the lines of sight and several accessories in detail. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal section on the line 5 5 in Fi 2. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section on the line 6 6 in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7 7 in Fig. 3, looking outwardly. Fig. 8 is a similar view in section just outside the pillar M, looking outwardly. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal section showing the cylinders F and H.

The gun or cannon A is carried by its cradle B, which slides during the recoil and the return to battery on a slideway-frame C, which is pivoted by hollow trunnions or upon the axle D, fixed to the shell of the framework of the turret. The frame 0 is provided at its rear with a telescopic hydraulic rammer E, which is arranged permanently in the extended axis of the barrel in order to permit of charging it under all the angles of fire. The frame 0 is sustained by a couple of hydraulic training-cylinders F F, to which are connected the arms of a second frame G, which is pivoted in like manner at its head on the axle D by means of trunnions b, Fig. 3. The second frame G is itself carried by a pair of hydraulic cylinders H, which rest on the ring I of a turn-table, mounted, for example, on conical rollers K K, resting on a fixed ring L. By means of these two groups of hydraulic cylinders F and H, which may receive or discharge liquid under pressure controlled by hydraulic distributers, I am enabled to turn around the axis D either the gun-carrying frame 0 alone in such manner as to give it a determined inclination or the frame G, which carries the frame 0 and the un.

b To the lower frame G are fixed rigid frames or pillars M M on opposite sides of the carriage, and the upper part of these pillars is provided with a small tablet c, on which is installed fixedlya short line of sight M,which is inclined the same as the axis of the gun when this latter is at the zero angles of fire. The operator holds the eye at one of these lines of sight, and he has under his hand the distributer which controls the hydraulic cylinders H as well as that which gives the movement of rotation to the turret. Hence he has only to maintain the line of sight on the object.

The gun will be completely trained when it has been inclined to the angle of fire which corresponds with the distance of the object. This second operation is effected by means of a special distributer, which is operated, for example, by the commander of the turret and which permits of actuating the hydraulic cylinders F in such manner as to incline the gun with reference to the line of sight carried by the frame Gr. This inclination, which is the angle of fire, is indicated under the form of distance of fire on the aiming-dials N, carried by the pillars M. The transmission to these dials is effected in the following manner: At the head of the frame 0 is fixed on each side an arm 0, (see Fig. 5,) forming a slide in which is carried a sliding block P, which turns on a crank-wrist Q, formed on a crank-arm S, which projects from an axle S, which turns in the pillar M at the center of the dial N and carries the needle orpointer R.

It is seen that any angular displacement of the frame 0 with reference to the frame G shows itself on these dials by a displacement of the needle, which displacement is greater or less according to the relative positions of the centers of rotation D Q S. To each angle of fire, or to each distance of fire, corresponds a determined displacement of each needle, from which it results that the dials may be graduated according to the distance of fire. If the line of sight of the pointer is directed on the object and the distributers of the hydraulic cylinders F are operated in such manner that the needles of the dials shall stop at the distance of fire which corresponds to the position of the object, the gun will be completely trained. It is thus seen that the training includes two operations, which are independent: first, directing the line of sight upon the object; second, giving to the gun the angle of fire which is required, and these operations are equally independent of the charging of the barrel. Consequently the gun may be permanently trained, and the firing may follow immediately upon the closing of the breech without loss of time.

It is understood that the hydraulic cylinders F and H may be replaced by any mechanical means whatever for permitting of varying the inclination of the frames 0 and G, numerous mechanical equivalents for this purpose being known in the art.

The arrangements of the carriage and the means for training which I have invented for obtaining the independence of the training and the charging, as well as the automatic exposure of the elevation on the aiming-dials, might evidently be applied to other types of carriages than those for turrets.

I claim as my invention 1. A gun-carriage comprising in combination a gun-carrying frame, and mechanism for varying the elevation of the gun engaging said frame for varying its inclination, a second frame carrying the gun carrying frame, and an independent mechanism for varying the inclination of this latter frame, substantially to the effect specified.

2. A gun-carriage comprising the combination of a gun-carrying frame C, a fixed axle D for supporting said frame, a second frame G hung upon the same axle, means for supporting the frame 0 adj ustably from the frame G whereby to vary their relative inclinations, and means for adj ustably supporting the frame G whereby to vary its inclination independently of the relative inclination of the frames, substantially to the effect specified.

3. The combination in a gun-carriage of the gun-carrying frame 0, a second frame G, a fixed axle D on which both frames are pivoted, means for independently changing the inclination of both frames, and means for indicating the relative angular displacement of the two frames, consisting of a dial carried by one frame, and a needle controlled in its movement by the other frame.

4. The combination in a gun-carriage of the gun-carrying frame 0, a second frame G, a fixed axle D on which both frames are pivoted, means for independently changing the inclination of both frames, and means for indicating the relative angular displacement of the two frames, this latter means consisting of pillars M supported on the frame G, a dial N carried thereby, a needle R pivoted there to, an upright 0 carried by the frame 0 and formed with a slideway, and a slide movable therein and connected to said needle R for varying the inclination of said needle on said dial proportionately to any change of relative inclination of the frames 0 and G.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' JOSEPH ALBERT DEPORT.

Witnesses:

CLYDE SHROPSHIRE, J was ARMENGAUD, Jeune. 

